With wood stove sales and use up in UK logs having to be imported from as far as Eastern Europe in order to satisfy demand

by Michael Smith

Considering the global recession and, more recently, conflict over natural gas flowing into Europe from Russia, this was probably something that should have been expected.

Sales of wood-burning stoves in the UK, as well as the use of existing wood-burning stoves, have risen recently, which in turn is causing shortages of firewood. This is forcing some suppliers to go so far as Eastern Europe to find good seasoned wood.

In medieval England, peasants were allowed to collect as much deadwood as they wanted from the royal forests - just so long as they could reach it "by hook or by crook". But the rapidly rising number of households now turning back to the forest for fuel, to protect the environment, or to simply make a lifestyle statement are finding a supply chain of this renewable, carbon-neutral fuel far more complex. Others may not try to make a lifestyle statement at all but are returning to wood out of bare necessity as heating fuels had become rather expensive and many rural households reply on heating oil rather than gas for hating home and farm.

Gas supplies have become a little – now this is an understatement – uncertain with Russia every now and again throwing a wobbly and a tantrum and oil seems to be going on a high every few minutes and when the prices do fall again to quite a low, as happened recently, the oil companies are in no hurry whatsoever to pass the reductions on to the consumer.

Sales of wood burning stoves in the UK are up 50% in the last three months of 2008 compared to 2007 and, according to forestry consultant Vince Thurkettle, demand for wood is currently increasing 25-30% a year. This on an island that is a bit more than 10% wooded and produces about 1 million tonnes of firewood a year, according to the Forestry Commission.

This proves, yet again, that we must bring the old coppice woodlands back into production – this has to happen anyway if we do not want the coppice stools to fall apart – for the production of small lumber and especially the production also of firewood. About time too.

This rising demand is causing a shortage of good logs, which combined with prices as high as £95 ($139) per load of wood in the north and west of the Britain is causing some wood sellers to import wood from hundreds of miles away; from inside the UK from countries as far away as Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Those are listed as “favorite hunting grounds” for wood sellers but they even (have to) go as far as Eastern Europe in order to get wood for resale.

So, some people are apparently driving wood, presumably in diesel-powered trucks, across all of Europe, to be burned in wood stoves and fireplaces in Britain.

Is importing logs from the other side, the far side, of Europe really a good idea? Personally I do not think so. And would it really be necessary? It would not if Britain had kept up with the demand that was coming – and it was obvious that it was coming – for wood.

Even though the information officer at the Forestry Commission’s Biomass Energy Centre described the effects on the environment of burning wood, compared to oil or natural gas, as “negligible”, even if that wood has been transported by road or sea, that is really something that I do not buy – as yet – and would have to see the numbers for that first. I have a very hard time believing that trucking in wood from Poland or even further afield to the British Isles to burn for heat makes environmental sense.

The good thing about burning wood for hear though is that it is – theoretically – carbon neutral, in comparison to so-called fossil fuel, which includes the likes of coal, oil and even natural gas, as wood only releases that much carbon as it has taken up during it lifetime as a tree. Nice one there. Just something that some environmentalists have problems understanding because of the fact that wood releases visible smoke and, depending in how well the wood has been seasoned, or not, as the case may be, the smoke can be quite dense.

There are two woods, however, that are best burned unseasoned on a base of other wood that has started the fire and that is beech and birch. Those two initially release a gas when burned in their green state that makes for a very hot fire.

"The dramatic upturn in demand for firewood is fantastic news in many senses because, in theory, we have so much of this resource that it is hard to see it ever running out," Thurkettle says. "Yet after so many years of relying on coal and gas to provide most of our energy needs, we have lost the art of effective woodland management. Until we relearn how to assess, manage, cut, store and burn exclusively local wood, we will continue to squander the potential of our woodlands."

The problem is that he is so very correct with that statement and speaks about just the issue that I keep mentioning as well.

We must get back to proper woodland and forest management, also as regards to firewood, and get away from the wasteful practice of the habitat pile. The habitat does very nicely without them things too, thank you. It has done so in the times of the use of the Estovers rights and will do so still today.

I have seen well managed woodlands where little if any debris was left where there was more wildlife – including invertebrates and fungi – than in many of those places that are full of those habitat piles. On the other hand those places that have clean forest floors have fewer diseased trees, especially as to fungal and pathogen problems.

On the other hand all that wood that is used – misguidedly too often – in habitat piles (while some are a good idea to leave all wood lying about or that purposes causes problems) could find a much better use to heat homes or even power turbines. The wood that is left too rot also releases the came carbon that the one that is being burned releases; so why waste the material and allow it to rot away.

Bringing in firewood from as far afield as Poland and elsewhere should not be necessary and certainly is not a practice that should be encouraged. It should be discouraged, in fact, for this can lead to destruction of woodlands and forests in Poland and other such countries to fill the UK demand.

While it is said to be still better for the environment to burn wood that has been trucked or otherwise shipped to the UK it is not ethically the right thing to do.

Time we got back to proper woodland management and relearned the old skills of how to manage woods and forests, aside from all the other reasons, for firewood. The trees that need to be removed every now and then, and presently, because of the bleeding canker infections of Horse Chestnut and similar diseases in other species of trees, those are quite a few, have to be removed from municipal parks and especially the country parks and such like, should also be entering this “food chain” of firewood instead of being allowed to be left on site to rot away.

If this means training municipal park gardeners, foresters, wardens and rangers in the appropriate chainsaw skills and allocating one or two members of staff to the logging up of any such trees into firewood then so be it. This could be a way for such places to create a little source of income. And while this may not be a very regular income of the same amount year in year out it nevertheless should be something that should be pursued.

New York, NY: A Bainbridge Island, Washington woman is the recipient of a new national fellowship designed to advance the work of individuals with outstanding potential to help shape a brighter environmental future.

Barbara Sacerdote is one of only 40 people selected from competitors nationwide for the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program, part of a new conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society with support from Toyota. Fellows receive specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work and share best practices with gifted conservation professionals, and assistance with project outreach and evaluation. Each Fellow will also receive $10,000 towards a community-focused project to engage local residents in conserving land, water and energy, and contributing to greater environmental health.

Sacerdote will focus her efforts on harnessing the power of the Web for conservation, by developing an interactive, online version of Audubon Washington’s “Guide to Bird and Community Conservation”. The printed publication is a layperson’s conservation planning and action tool for protecting special areas throughout Washington State. The online version of the Guide will provide Audubon chapter members with an interactive, guided program, maps of bird populations layered with county data land use, and links to other data in the public domain. The activists can track their work, assess threats, and act to end or diminish these threats.

A pilot version of the printed Guide to Bird and Community Conservation is being tested by the Pilchuck Audubon Chapter. The Chapter is designing and implementing a conservation plan around Port Susan Bay. Located at the mouth of the Stillaguamish River in Snohomish County, the area is critical habitat for tens of thousands of migrating birds, up to 16 species of raptors, large flocks of wintering ducks, Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, and Snow Geese. Port Susan Bay is one of only four sites in Puget Sound that regularly supports more than 20,000 shorebirds in a season.

The interactive Guide to Bird and Community Conservation will be available for the 20,000 Audubon members in Washington State who are, or wish to become, conservation activists.

A skilled fundraiser, Sacerdote is currently the Development Director for Audubon Washington. After holding Development positions at the Rural Development Institute, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the Tacoma Art Museum, Sacerdote switched mid-career to the field of conservation.

“Barbara is the kind of person who can make a real difference in the health of our environment and the quality of our future,” said Audubon President John Flicker. “Each of our TogetherGreen Fellows demonstrates exceptional environmental understanding and commitment, combined with tremendous potential to inspire and lead others. Together, they represent the talented and diverse leadership the environmental community will need to tackle the huge challenges and opportunities confronting us now and in the years to come.” “I believe individual action is the greatest force for conservation in America today. As we confront concerns of transcendent importance today - the very survival of the human race and of the planet - it is up to each of us to take personal action to turn the tide in our favor. My project is small in the grand scheme of things, but I hope to provide individuals with a user-friendly tool to protect the 74 Important Bird Areas we have in Washington State. It is up to us to take personal responsibility for these landscapes and ensure they continue to provide our native and migrating birds with relatively abundant food, water, and shelter. After all, these are the basics we need for our own families.”

Sacerdote has been affiliated with Audubon Washington since April 2008. Half of the TogetherGreen fellows come from within Audubon’s far-reaching national network; half channel their environmental efforts through other organizations.

Sacerdote received a Masters degree in arts administration from Columbia University and a Bachelors degree in marketing and journalism from Southern Oregon University. In the past, Sacerdote has served on several Northwest Development Officers Association committees, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and the Seattle Public Schools Alliance for Education.

“Toyota believes in the power of grassroots efforts to develop the environmental leaders of tomorrow,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, Group Vice President, Toyota Motor North America. “These 40 TogetherGreen Fellows will receive invaluable training for the future while immediately making a difference today with on-the-ground community projects.”

New research has shown that UK offices are holding back their workers from being environmentally friendly.

A recent YouGov research poll has exposed that, despite office workers being keen to make a positive difference when it comes to the environment, they are being held back by a lack of empowerment and facilities. Key facts emerging from the research include:

3 out of 4 of us think that we are leaving our green efforts at home DESPITE 79% of UK office workers believing that being environmentally responsible at work has a big impact on the environment.

92% of office workers believe that it is important for UK companies to be environmentally responsible BUT only 51% of them say that their company has a green policy in place AND only 54% think their company does enough towards the environment.

48% of office workers in the UK do not have the right office equipment to be environmentally friendly AND 45% say that they lack the power to do anything about it.

In response to the findings, office expert Avery® is mobilizing the office workforce of the United Kingdom by launching the first ever Green Office Week. This will run from the 2nd to the 6th March 2009 and is designed to empower workers to be able to make a positive impact on the environment while in the office. The event is going to unite offices up and down the country in an effort to change the way we work in our offices and businesses.

One can but hope that the owners of such businesses and offices will get the message in the same way as do the workers and also and especially that government office take the lead here. On the last aspect, however, I must say that I am not going to hold my breath though. Blue is not a color that suits me in the face.

New York, NY: A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania man is the recipient of a new national fellowship designed to advance the work of individuals with outstanding potential to help shape a brighter environmental future.

Keith Russell is one of only 40 people selected from competitors nationwide for the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program, part of a new conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society with support from Toyota. Fellows receive specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work and share best practices with gifted conservation professionals, and assistance with project outreach and evaluation. Each Fellow will also receive $10,000 towards a community-focused project to engage local residents in conserving land, water and energy, and contributing to greater environmental health.

For his fellowship, Keith will focus on organizing a volunteer monitoring effort to collect data on bird collisions with building windows, combining citizen science and wildlife conservation efforts. This study will help reveal how building lights and building glass in downtown Philadelphia affect many of the migratory birds that pass through the city each spring and fall, allowing Russell and others to work towards making the city a safer place for these prodigious travelers. Turning off lights and reducing the transparency and reflection caused by building glass will help protect these birds from deadly collisions, educate community members and business owners about the perils migratory birds face in cities, and ultimately help slow the rate at which many of these species are now declining.

Involved in conservation efforts for more than two decades, Russell is currently an Outreach Coordinator for Audubon Pennsylvania. He works directly with the staff of Fairmount Park as well as Benjamin Rush State Park to improve habitat for birds through activities such as meadow restorations and invasive plant removal. Russell has also helped to initiate monthly bird walks, encouraging residents and visitors to learn about and enjoy the impressive diversity of their local birds.

“Keith is the kind of person who can make a real difference in the health of our environment and the quality of our future,” said Audubon President John Flicker. “Each of our TogetherGreen Fellows demonstrates exceptional environmental understanding and commitment, combined with tremendous potential to inspire and lead others. Together, they represent the talented and diverse leadership the environmental community will need to tackle the huge challenges and opportunities confronting us now and in the years to come.”

“I am extremely grateful to have received support from Audubon and Toyota to study the problem of bird collisions in Philadelphia,” stated Russell. “We hope the study’s results will be instrumental in bringing about the changes necessary to reduce the number of collisions locally and helpful to raise awareness of the problem in other geographic areas.”

Russell has been affiliated with Audubon Pennsylvania since 2005. Half of the TogetherGreen fellows come from within Audubon’s far-reaching national network; half channel their environmental efforts through other organizations.

Russell received a Masters degree in zoology from Clemson University and a Bachelors degree in biology from Cornell University. In addition to his current position, he is the founder of the Philadelphia Mid-Winter Bird Census and has coordinated it since 1987. A dedicated birder, Russell has received several awards from the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club for his contributions to the field. His writings have appeared in a number of ornithological publications including the Birds of North America and Pennsylvania Birds.

“Toyota believes in the power of grassroots efforts to develop the environmental leaders of tomorrow,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, Group Vice President, Toyota Motor North America. “These 40 TogetherGreen Fellows will receive invaluable training for the future while immediately making a difference today with on-the-ground community projects.”

HONOLULU, HI, January 2009: Growing evidence is indicating that small-scale artisanal fisheries may be the largest single threat to some sea turtle populations. These fisheries use gill nets, pound nets, large fixed fish traps and other static gear that inadvertently catch, tangle and drown the turtles. The three-day Technical Workshop on Mitigating Sea Turtle Bycatch in Coastal Net Fisheries, which concluded Thursday in Honolulu, made significant strides towards addressing this threat.

“Large numbers of turtles, especially North Pacific loggerheads, are caught and killed each year by pound nets and gillnets,” explained Kitty Simonds, executive director of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, which convened the workshop. “Transferring new gear technology and other mitigation measures from net fisheries where progress has been made to address this problem to similar fisheries in other regions was one of the major objectives of the workshop.”

Pound nets are used extensively around the coastal waters of Japan and other parts of East Asia, while gillnets are employed around the Pacific Rim and in the Pacific Islands. The workshop looked at promising solutions from the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans to minimize turtle catches in both types of gear. For example, while many fisheries use pound nets that have submerged catch chambers in which captive turtles drown, other pound nets have an open catching chamber where turtles can reach the surface to breathe.

The workshop provided the first opportunity for experts from multiple relevant disciplines to share information from 20 gillnet and pound-net fisheries worldwide. Participants reviewed the assessment status and mitigation activities of the fisheries; shared information on effective, affordable gear to mitigate sea turtle capture and injury in coastal net fisheries; identified research priorities to advance turtle-friendly gear and fishing methods; and explored the range of tools available to assess, mitigate and manage sea turtle bycatch in artisanal fisheries.

“The meeting fostered new partnerships and has effectively advanced the transfer of best practices for bycatch mitigation in artisanal coastal net fisheries,” said Eric Gilman, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) marine science advisor.

The workshop is the latest in a decade long series of initiatives by the Council’s Protected Species Program to recover Pacific sea turtle populations. The workshop included 49 participants from 17 countries, representing intergovernmental organizations, fishery agencies, national fishery management authorities, environmental non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, fishing industries and donor organizations. It was co-hosted by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), the Indian Ocean–South-East Asian Marine Turtle MoU (IOSEA) and the US National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southeast Fisheries Science Center.

Proceedings and a technical report on mitigating sea turtle bycatch in coastal net fisheries will be available in coming weeks. For copies or more information on the workshop, contact Gilman at eric.gilman@iucn.org.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is the policy-making agency for fisheries management in offshore waters around the US Pacific Islands. It is the first regional fishery management council in the nation to prohibit drift gill-net fishing, require the use of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and to develop an ecosystem-based fishery management plan.

In a recent circular from the charity “Just a Drop” tried a bit more on greenwashing its ethical bottled water by stating that it now comes in a new BIODEGRADABLE and COMPOSTABLE bottle.

It does not matter whether it comes in a PET bottle or a BIODEGRADABLE and COMPOSTABLE one; bottled water is not and will never be ethical. Period.

Obviously having bottled water, if one has to have it, at conferences and such like and for personal use, in BIODEGRADABLE and COMPOSTABLE bottles is much better than having it in PET (plastic) bottles but why the supposed need for bottled water in the first place.

Also, as in this case they were trying to aim at bottled water as a promotional item at trade fairs and conference, why does water have to be given out in such bottles. Why not provide water dispensers and give out also small reusable sports bottles from lined aluminium, for instance.

Yes, such bottles are more expensive and in addition the provision of a water cooler, the latter which ideally should be a tap water mains fed one that has a built in filtration system, but such gestures would remain in the memory of the visitors a lot more than a plastic, whether biodegradable and compostable or not, bottle of water.

Bottles water, in my opinion, can never be classed as “ethical”, whether or not is it being sold by a charity which uses the profits from those sales to provide drinking water projects in the Third World. Bottled water simply is not and cannot, as I said before, ever be “ethical”, not even with the best intentions.

We have spoken about the issue of bottled water, especially the water in plastic bottles many times and the debate is going on in all green circles, but it is not just the plastic bottle that is the issue but the extraction of water for the purpose of bottling and selling in bottles itself that is rather contentious. This is particularly so in countries such as Britain, the USA and the like where the public water supplies are safe to drink, safer even than some of those sources from which the bottled waters are drawn.

I, for one, will rather drink – filtered, if need be – tap water from our municipal sources than so-called spring water that may have contaminants in it for which it may not even have to be tested, though for which tap water is being tested.

Most readers would be amazed as to what level of pollution and contamination is permitted in “spring” water compared to tap water. Tap water is by far, at least in those really well developed countries, safer than so-called bottled spring water and therefore we should use it, at home and in restaurants, in the same way as on the move.

Let's demand tap water wherever we can and if this is being refused then, maybe, we should no longer frequent that establishment.

Review by Michael SmithPotato BagLakeland ref. 12377Price: £5.86 (and it would appear that it might be worth every penny and more in time to come)

As readers will know from an earlier article I received a sample of the Potato Bag together with some “Stay Fresh Longer” bags earlier in January 2009 and I have begun using the Potato Bag in order to test it.

As far as I can ascertain the bags are made of polycotton – a mix of 75% polyester and 25% cotton – in a canvas weave. They are a real nice design and a nice earth brown color. I love earth colors hence my liking for the way those bags look.

I have now had potatoes in this bag, finally, for about more or less fortnight and the fact has to be considered that it was not until a few days later – when I put the taters into the Potato Bag – that I actually removed them from their plastic bag. I know, I really should buy potatoes loose and not pre-packed as that also means that they are washed.

Well, OK, having that out of the way what I am saying is that even after such a treatment they are still as good as the day they came out of the plastic bag and bar one very tiny sprout, or eye, to be precise, that was showing on one potato that I used out of this bags all are firm, including the one with the eye. In my previous “open” box storage in the larger cupboard that I previously used the potatoes would by now have definite shoots and would have started to become soft. So, it definitely appear that the Potato Bag is doing the job it is designed for.

The truth be told, I am impressed in the way it keeps the potatoes fresh and, may I hasten to add, I do not impress easily.

To sum up I would say as far as potatoes and the Potato Bag from Lakeland are concerned the bag is well worth its price just to protect the potatoes from going off too fast and to waste. I love taters and, although there is still really nothing wrong them even if they are a little soft and having sprouts, as far as I understand their nutritional value is diminished then. They also peel so much easier when then they are not full of sprouts and wrinkled.

So, therefore, let's hear it for the Lakeland Potato Bag. (And no, I am not getting paid for this review – chance would be a fine thing).

THETFORD CENTER, VT, January, 2009: The Center for Sustainable Innovation (CSI) announced today the release of a new tool for measuring and reporting the sustainability of corporate water use. Known as the Corporate Water Gauge http://www.sustainableinnovation.org/Corporate-Water-Gauge.pdf , the new tool makes it possible to measure and report single and enterprise-wide facility-based levels of water use against local precipitation and population data for specific locations. The tool also takes account of local topographical features and watershed boundaries, again with specific geographic locations in mind.

The Corporate Water Gauge is just the latest implementation of an advanced approach to sustainability metrics developed by CSI, known as sustainability quotients. Unlike other metrics, including those found in GRI-type reports, measures structured in the form of quotients take actual social and/or environmental conditions in the world explicitly into account, and are thereby able to put top-line corporate impacts into meaningful context. In the case of the Corporate Water Gauge, water use is measured against both the volume of local water supplies and the size of the population that shares them, as opposed to simply reporting water use in a vacuum.

Of additional significance in today’s announcement is the manner and extent to which the Corporate Water Gauge makes use of advanced GIS technology. GIS provides the data structure that links environmental and demographic information, and allows analysis and visualization of the combined dataset at a watershed level. Detailed topography models are thereby used to delineate the watersheds in which an organization’s water withdrawals and discharges are made, including those associated with municipal and/or regional utilities. Quantitative scores are then produced which measure and express the sustainability of an organization’s local and global water use.

CSI’s Executive Director, Mark W. McElroy, Ph.D., had this to say about today’s announcement: “The Corporate Water Gauge is the latest result of a 3-year R&D effort to make triple bottom line measurement and reporting a reality. It, and the broader family of context-based metrics to which it belongs, together comprise what is arguably the most rigorous and meaningful methodology for assessing the true sustainability performance of an organization. And given the increasing urgency of conserving and carefully managing rapidly declining freshwater resources on Earth, this is a management tool whose time has come!”

More information about the Corporate Water Gauge can be found here (this is a PDF file).

The Center for Sustainable Innovation is a non-profit NGO located in Thetford Center, VT. It was founded in 2004 with a vision of working for sustainability, both within and by means of innovation. Most of CSI's efforts have been applied to the development of an advanced approach for measuring and reporting the social and environmental sustainability performance of organizations, and to devising tools and methods for operationalizing triple bottom line management. CSI's founder and Executive Director, Mark W. McElroy, Ph.D., can be reached at mmcelroy@vermontel.net. More information about CSI, the Corporate Water Gauge , and other context-based metrics can be found at CSI’s website http://www.sustainableinnovation.org

New York, NY: A Sparks, Nevada woman is the recipient of a new national fellowship designed to advance the work of individuals with outstanding potential to help shape a brighter environmental future.

Robin Powell is one of only 40 people selected from competitors nationwide for the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program, part of a new conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society with support from Toyota. Fellows receive specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work and share best practices with gifted conservation professionals, and assistance with project outreach and evaluation. Each Fellow will also receive $10,000 towards a community-focused project to engage local residents in conserving land, water and energy, and contributing to greater environmental health.

Powell will focus her efforts on helping build conservation stewardship in the Lahontan Valley Wetlands Important Bird Area which is the largest important bird area in Nevada. Powell will be working with local landowners and land managers to foster their leadership skills and build a conservation action network that will, in turn, help protect the wildlife that depends on this unique ecosystem for habitat, including many birds that are listed as species of concern. Powell will integrate the various cultural, ecological, and economical viewpoints of the different groups – including federal, state, and tribal personnel, recreational groups, non-profit organizations, and private landowners – in order to promote a unified conservation effort for the region, keeping it a healthy, beautiful place for all Nevada residents to enjoy.

Involved in conservation efforts for over a decade, Powell is currently the Nevada Director of Bird Conservation for the National Audubon Society. In her current position, Powell manages Nevada’s 39 Important Bird Areas, where she is focused on building partnerships and collaborations with key partners to protect, restore, and enhance key habitats within the important bird areas. Previously, she worked as an environmental manager for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and environmental specialist for the Walker River Paiute Tribe for over eight years, helping community members to protect and improve their lands’ health and natural resources.

“Robin is the kind of person who can make a real difference in the health of our environment and the quality of our future,” said Audubon President John Flicker. “Each of our TogetherGreen Fellows demonstrates exceptional environmental understanding and commitment, combined with tremendous potential to inspire and lead others. Together, they represent the talented and diverse leadership the environmental community will need to tackle the huge challenges and opportunities confronting us now and in the years to come.”

“I am very excited about the opportunities that the TogetherGreen Fellowship has afforded,” said Powell. “The Lahontan Valley Wetlands Important Bird Area is very unique due to the diversity of bird species, the congregations of migrating birds, and the extreme importance that the wetland, shrubland, and agricultural habitats provide to support migrating and residential birds. I look forward to strengthening conservation stewardship, increasing collaborative conservation activities within the valley, and fostering partnerships across diverse groups of interest.”

Powell has been affiliated with the National Audubon Society since 2007. Half of the TogetherGreen fellows come from within Audubon’s far-reaching national network; half channel their environmental efforts through other organizations.

Powell received a Bachelors degree in biology and anthropology from the University of Nevada.

“Toyota believes in the power of grassroots efforts to develop the environmental leaders of tomorrow,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, Group Vice President, Toyota Motor North America. “These 40 TogetherGreen Fellows will receive invaluable training for the future while immediately making a difference today with on-the-ground community projects.”

We are all, I am sure, familiar with bamboo being used for the making of chopsticks and I am sure that the one or other of us has a set or more of those at home from Chinese takeout meals, for instance. I certainly have. I can never get myself to throwing those away, as they can be washed up (by hand – I would not suggest the use of a dishwasher here) and reused. Carry your own chopsticks is a campaign that is taking off in Japan, for instance, and as far as I can see this is one reason why to retain those that are given with takeout meals, for Chinese to Japanese.

Bambu's bamboo products, originally designed in the USA and distributed there now have a distributer in the UK in the form of “Green Pioneer Ltd” and they can be purchased now in UK currency via their website.

Those “bambu” bamboo products, whether the bowls, natural or lacquer, or the simple one-time (and does it really have to be just a one-time) use plates or flatware, or the sporks, are also not expensive at all, despite their quality and workmanship, especially seeing that, as far as it would appear to me, most of those products are, more than likely, make individually and by hand.

Bamboo is a natural material of tremendous strength and, unless brute force is being used, breading those products is not going to be an easy task. We must not forget that in Asia bamboo is used for scaffolding and, so I understand, even as the skeleton of building. Because of its flexibility is it makes structures a lot less prone to earthquakes than does steel.

Bamboo is a very interesting material that is little known for things other than garden canes and a few other things in the Western world. So far we have not, for instance, seen things like eating utensils, unless you happen to use chopsticks, some of which are bamboo.

Bamboo is, theoretically, a grass and not a tree and wood but the material is probably stronger than many if not indeed all woods. Full grown bamboo cut down will regrow to its full size withing about seven years. Therefore as far as using it for utensils and such like and many other uses this is a very sustainable way to go.

I do not say that we should abandon wood. Far from it but as they say “horses for courses” and this is also a case here as to sustainable raw materials.

Clothing too can be made from bamboo fibers but I am beginning to digress again, I think.

When I met “Green Pioneer” with the “bambu” range at the Top Drawer Spring Show at London's Earl's Court in January 2009 I was given some single use plates and single use flatware as well as a small bamboo spork and to use the plates just once I would say, and the same as to the “disposable” flatware, would be a great shame. The spork certainly is not a “one-time use” tool and the plates could also be, though I still have to give it a try, washed up and reused again, as could the picnic flatware.

The little bambu spork retails £2 and, while that is not expensive, I am sure, for this lovely made eating tool, it certainly is not something that I would want to chuck into the compost soon after, nor are you meant to. It is in fact designed to be reusable and it is dishwasher safe.

This bamboo spork by “bambu”, that I refer to above, is a lovely little eating tool that one can carry on one's person for the “just in case”. Only one must be mindful of the fact that the tines of the fork part of the bambu sport are very sharp indeed, so some sort of cover or small box would be ideal to use with it for carrying it.

I am sure that we shall be seeing more bamboo products on the market all over the place in the not so distant future. There are a number of them, from a number of different designers and suppliers available and via a number of different outlets.

As far as looks and variety are concerned I doubt, however, that anyone is going to match the bambu collection sold in the UK by “Green Pioneer Ltd” via the “Bambu Boutique” will be matched soon and I also doubt this as far as the prices are concerned.

While the lacquer bowls, which are absolute pieces of beauty though which at the same time are timeless and all great for whatever use in kitchen and home, are the most premium part of the range the baskets at £10 for a set of 3, utensils range in price from £2.50 to £3.50) and chopping boards start at an entry level one that is priced at £8. Those all are certainly great values are great value.

Although there are kitchen products from a variety of sources available range from those for the primarily home market to those to the catering trade and everything else in between, and that is just the use of bamboo as kitchen and eating utensils, bowls for a variety of uses and such like, the bambu collection, I am sure, can cater for all needs at a very good price; something with in the current climate (no, the economic one and not the natural one) is very important, I am sure.

In addition to that there are beginning to be a multitude of other uses for bamboo appearing on the “green” market including the use of bamboo by laptop makers such as ASUS and also for the use of flooring in place of wood laminates and such.

In my opinion, bamboo is a natural – pardon the pun – for kitchen and cooking utensils more than for the use in flooring though it is very hard wearing and long lasting.

For more on the “bambu” range of bamboo products check out the Bambu Boutique, the retail portal for this range.

Organizations in the UK employing green IT policies are making small savings, according to parts distributor Bell Micro. However, the level of energy savings achieved casts doubts upon the current value of those green activities implemented to date.

The results have been extracted from some research commissioned in 2008. Headline findings include:

* Despite the fact that much has been talked about green IT in the UK, only 21% of organizations have adopted a formal, written policy on what the IT department should be doing to make the organization more environmentally-friendly.

* Many energy saving measures are adopted by fewer than 1 in 4 organizations with a green IT policy, e.g. using energy-saving hardware and software (25%), use of virtualization technology (13%) and implementation of digital video communications (11%)

* Outsourcing key IT functions and processes is a very common practice in the UK. Of 73% of organizations handling all or some of their IT tasks in this way, only 27% bother to check the green credentials of their suppliers.

I assume that it will still take a while for people to realize that green IT can save them money and especially here if they get away from proprietary software for which licenses they have to pay lots of money.

Whether or not one uses an entire Open Source operating system, Open Source software is available also to run on Windows such as, for instance, Open Office. This is a very adequate replacement for Microsoft Office – except that it does not have Outlook or the silly Notes and such – and Open Office can save all documents automatically as MS files.

The Outlook issue can also be overcome by the use of another program, and Open Source email client, which integrates into others. So there is no need to forgo Outlook.

Other programs too are in the Open Source field that enable savings to be made and also to green the IT infrastructure of a company, however small or big.

As with all things green in the office and workplace IT seems to also lag behind. Research has shown that while many employees in offices want to do the right green things they have little or no say as regards to the issue and to the right equipment and products that would enable them to be green in the office.

It would appear that with the IT sector in business and industry it is the same thing and that companies do not seem to get it – at least not properly. A problem factor here is also that on the IT level they very often are tied to proprietary software through a variety of vendors and have no way out of that situation.

When it comes to Green IT the readers, I am sure, will know that I am very much an advocate – and not only in respect of Green IT – of Open Source software and this not just because, theoretically, it is free as in gratis, but because you do not get tied down to a particular brand.

The main problem still is though that much of he hardware does not always – immediately – connect up with say Linux operating systems. Nor are some websites, notably the ones of the European Union, usable with browsers other than Internet Explorer, which means that they do not render properly in, say, Firefox or Opera, and hence cannot interacted with in a proper manner.

As far as Green IT is concerned, however, Open Source enables savings on a financial level as well as on an equipment level for most of the Open Source applications are not as power hungry as are those made by Microsoft or other proprietary software makers. Savings all round that way.

New York, NY: A Myakka City, Florida woman is the recipient of a new national fellowship designed to advance the work of individuals with outstanding potential to help shape a brighter environmental future.

Penelope Bodry-Sanders is one of only 40 people selected from competitors nationwide for the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program, part of a new conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society with support from Toyota. Fellows receive specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work and share best practices with gifted conservation professionals, and assistance with project outreach and evaluation. Each Fellow will also receive $10,000 towards a community-focused project to engage local residents in conserving land, water and energy, and contributing to greater environmental health.

Bodry-Sanders will focus her efforts on expanding the Teachers Institute for Conservation Biology, a program that helps high school teachers develop conservation ecology modules for their students. Held on the Lemur Conservation Foundation’s Florida reserve, the workshop provides knowledge, technological skills, hands-on fieldwork techniques, and cross-disciplinary curriculums (environmental art and music) that teachers can then pass on to their students. Teachers use concepts about lemur ecology and conservation as a way of challenging students to examine regional conservation issues and to become interested in biology and conservation.

Involved in conservation efforts for 25 years, Bodry-Sanders is currently the Executive Director of the Lemur Conservation Foundation. She began her career at the American Museum of Natural History in the early 1980s cutting her teeth on science and conservation as her duties morphed into several opportunities. Among others, she served as Museum archivist and then Education Coordinator for the Museum’s travel/study program. She parlayed those experiences into the creation of the Lemur Conservation Foundation in 1996. Since then, under her leadership, the Lemur Conservation Foundation has become a globally recognized environmental organization dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the primates of Madagascar through captive breeding, scientific research, education and reintroduction.

Half of the TogetherGreen fellows come from within Audubon’s far-reaching national network; half channel their environmental efforts through other organizations.

“Penelope is the kind of person who can make a real difference in the health of our environment and the quality of our future,” said Audubon President John Flicker. “Each of our TogetherGreen Fellows demonstrates exceptional environmental understanding and commitment, combined with tremendous potential to inspire and lead others. Together, they represent the talented and diverse leadership the environmental community will need to tackle the huge challenges and opportunities confronting us now and in the years to come.”

“The beauty and magic of the TogetherGreen program is the effect of individual leaders and projects coalescing into a huge, powerful force that can help mend and protect our planet home,” said Bodry-Sanders.

Bodry-Sanders’ career has been broad and eclectic: she was a Dominican nun, Broadway actress and recording artist, and author, best known for her biography about one of the 20th Century’s greatest conservationists, “African Obsession – the Life and Legacy of Carl E. Akeley.”She is a member of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, a Fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographic Society in London, and is a frequent lecturer on conservation issues in the United States, Africa, and India.

“Toyota believes in the power of grassroots efforts to develop the environmental leaders of tomorrow,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, Group Vice President, Toyota Motor North America. “These 40 TogetherGreen Fellows will receive invaluable training for the future while immediately making a difference today with on-the-ground community projects.”

Havas Media CEO urges governments and brands to use sustainable communication strategies to help boost consumer confidence as top policy makers and CEOs gather in Zurich pre-Davos

(27 January 2009) - As developed countries worry about plunging into deep recession, the primary focus at Davos this year will be on what further measures government leaders and financial regulators can and should take to resuscitate economic growth. Despite the many attempts made so far to jumpstart the global economy - numerous bank bailouts and several record reductions in interest rates, consumer confidence in the developed economies still remains at an all-time low.

Government and business leaders at The Emerging Markets Investors Roundtable in Zurich today, many of whom were on their way to Davos, debated the challenges for global brands in developed economies and the opportunities they present for growth in the emerging markets.

As governments in developed economies continue to focus primarily on macro-economic solutions to generate economic growth, Havas Media’s CEO, Alfonso Rodés, stressed the need for governments and brands to also consider and develop effective communication strategies to help lessen consumer fear and insecurity, boost consumer confidence and foster economic growth.

Alfonso Rodés, CEO of Havas Media comments:

"Consumers are scared, confused and uncertain. During these harsh economic times, the immediate reaction for many brands is to cut advertising spend and to communicate less.

I like to use the analogy of a marriage in crisis. Everyone knows that the trick to a successful marriage is communication. In times of crisis, communication becomes even more crucial. It is the same thing for brands. In times of crisis, it is totally counter-intuitive to stop talking. When things are going wrong, increasing communications and opening up a good dialogue become even more important.”

Rodés is keen to point out though, that it is not enough to just keep talking to consumers. Now more than ever before, governments and brands need to be acutely sensitive to growing sentiments amongst consumers of over-consumerism and their appetite to adopt more responsible consumer practices. Rodés points out that, to stay relevant, governments and brands need to base their communications with savvy consumers around principles of responsible practices, sustainability and social justice.

Rodés continues:"As the economic downturn persists, consumers will continue to rationalise their needs and their expenditure on goods and services. They will look more to altruism and social justice as they strive to find more meaningful and fulfilled lives. Brands that do not communicate around these more humane and philanthropic principles may suffer."

During a discussion chaired by Havas Media’s CEO in Zurich, audience and panel members discussed the role of governments and brands in the troubled developed and emerging economies. The panel was quick to conclude that policy makers and business leaders in the (still-growing) emerging markets should also take advantage of the branding and communication strategies adopted by their more developed counterparts.

In 2009, growing domestic demand and increased access to consumer credit in the emerging markets is expected to fuel higher consumer spending, create bigger markets and result in a rapidly rising middle class. This middle class will continue to strengthen BRIC countries' position as a major consumer bloc. The figures speak for themselves - by 2025 B6 countries (Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Russia, South Korea) will have more purchasing power than all G6 countries (US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan). China and India alone will account for two thirds of this expansion.

Rodés highlighed that even in the growing BRIC economies, there is increasing consumer expectation towards brands to communicate around social values, particularly in the areas of climate change and sustainability. His comments were supported by Havas Media’s climate change research* with Brazil (58%), Mexico (56%), India (50%) and China (46%) ranked with the highest levels of consumer engagement with regards to the climate change issue. These figures were far ahead of countries such as Germany (15%) and the UK (17%). Furthermore, in the same study, consumers believed that companies and their brands (not governments) should lead the charge in finding a solution to the issue.

Rodés concluded: “It's not just governments who can influence consumer confidence and consumer spending. In the developed and emerging market economies, global marketers also have a huge potential to guide and reassure their consumers amidst the current uncertainty, increase consumer loyalty and stimulate consumer spend, both in short and long term. As the global economic downturn persists, brands that continue to invest in talking to their consumers about issues such as sustainability and climate change - areas that genuinely concern them - will gain a short and long-term competitive edge by building real and lasting relationships that will in turn stimulate demand and greater shareholder value".

London, 26th January 2009: A 16 foot high sculpture of an iceberg featuring a stranded female polar bear and her baby cub was launched on the River Thames today providing Londoners with a timely reminder of the dangers of global warming.

The sculpture, which was specially commissioned to mark the launch of Eden, a new digital TV channel devoted to natural history, graphically brought to life one of the most iconic images of climate change – the melting ice caps.

A team of 15 artists spent two months constructing the 20ft by 20ft square structure which was launched in Greenwich, South East London at 6:30am, before travelling up the Thames to stop beside Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament for a national photocall. The structure weighing 1.5 tonnes was winched into place in freezing temperatures, before travelling 7.5 miles along the Thames.

The melting of the ice caps will not only affect the polar bears, there will also be serious repercussions for the two billion people who depend on the glacial meltwater that feeds their rivers. The polar bears’ presence in London highlights these issues which will also be addressed in Eden’s Fragile Earth series which will run throughout the week.

Broadcaster and eminent wildlife conservationist, Sir David Attenborough says: “The melting of the polar bears’ sea ice habitat is one of the most pressing environmental concerns of our time. I commend Eden for highlighting the issue; we need to do what we can to protect the world’s largest land carnivores from extinction.”

Eden’s Channel Head, Adrian Wills, says: “"The Earth is a fragile place and we were keen to launch with a message that would draw attention to the uncertain state of our finely balanced environment. Our aim is to reflect one amazing world, with one amazing channel that can address issues like climate change whilst providing an entertaining, informative experience by airing a range of high-end premieres, landmark natural history programmes and first class wildlife documentaries."

Now the polar bears’ have finished their journey along the Thames, they will be taking the message about global warming to Hampstead Heath as well as key cities across the UK including Birmingham and Glasgow.

The Thames is familiar with unexpected visitors. In January 2006 a seven-tonne bottle-nosed whale became trapped in shallow water near Battersea Bridge. Crowds gathered as the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) attempted to save its life. But despite the team’s efforts to move it into deeper water, the whale died.

Other mammals which have strayed into The Thames include a family of Harbour Porpoises, which were spotted near Vauxhall Bridge in December 2004. Three years previously, a Bottle- nosed dolphin was discovered swimming past Tower Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge.

Eden’s programming starts at 9am, Monday 26th January 2009, with Attenborough Explores...Our Fragile World at 10pm. A programme schedule for new digital Natural History channel Eden can be found at: www.exploreeden.co.uk

The Eden sculpture is certified as 100% recyclable by the Set Salvage Company authorised by the Mayor of London’s office.

Eden goes live at 9am on 26th January with a schedule packed full of high-end premieres. From the scale and beauty of Superstorm, Ganges and Wild China to the revelation and intimacy of Tribe (series 3), Elephant Diaries (series 2) and Tribal Wives – that will play alongside landmark series such as Planet Earth, Ray Mears’ Extreme Survival, Life of Mammals and Full Circle with Michael Palin.

Eden can be found on:Sky Channel: 532Virgin TV Channel: 208

Formed in 1997, UKTV is an independent commercial joint venture, between BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, and Virgin Media. Attracting 34 million viewers each month, the network consists of 10 distinctive TV channels – Watch, G.O.L.D., Dave, Alibi, Eden, UKTV Style, UKTV Food, UKTV Gardens, UKTV History and UKTV People – offering a broad range of quality programming across entertainment, lifestyle and factual programming. UKTV currently operates 18 broadcast streams when multiplexes (+1s) and broadband are taken into account, and 11 highly successful websites.

Promising to creatively connect its audiences with great programming, UKTV’s successful programming strategy combines quality content from the BBC with high profile original commissions and key acquisitions.

All UKTV channels are distributed on Sky and Virgin Media. Dave and UKTV History are also available on Freeview. More detail can be found on uktv.co.uk

New York, NY: A Livermore, California man is the recipient of a new national fellowship designed to advance the work of individuals with outstanding potential to help shape a brighter environmental future.

Lewis Reed is one of only 40 people selected from competitors nationwide for the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program, part of a new conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society with support from Toyota. Fellows receive specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work and share best practices with gifted conservation professionals, and assistance with project outreach and evaluation. Each Fellow will also receive $10,000 towards a community-focused project to engage local residents in conserving land, water and energy, and contributing to greater environmental health.

For his fellowship, Reed will focus his efforts on leading a cooperative effort between the Livermore Park District and community volunteers to reduce invasive exotic weeds and establish native vegetation in the grasslands of the Livermore valley. The all-volunteer group will have the opportunity for additional mentoring and training through interpretive seminars and educational field trips led by Reed, empowering them to have a direct impact in improving environmental health. Not only will the group be protecting native habitat, making it a better place for wildlife, but they will also be gaining valuable knowledge and experience in stewardship of their land.

Involved in conservation efforts for a decade, Reed is currently a Park Ranger for the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District. As a student mentor, he helps high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented communities identify their own career goals and learn how to get involved in careers in ecology and environmental science – encouraging others to pursue education as a means of self-empowerment.

“Lewis is the kind of person who can make a real difference in the health of our environment and the quality of our future,” said Audubon President John Flicker. “Each of our TogetherGreen Fellows demonstrates exceptional environmental understanding and commitment, combined with tremendous potential to inspire and lead others. Together, they represent the talented and diverse leadership the environmental community will need to tackle the huge challenges and opportunities confronting us now and in the years to come.”

“I hope that this project will help raise awareness and build appreciation for this increasingly rare piece of our natural heritage,” said Reed. “Most of the undeveloped land around Livermore is grassland and in large part people don’t realize that even if we never set foot on that land, we interact with it. These grassy hills provide forage for livestock, sequester carbon and nitrogen emissions from our automobiles, cleanse water that fills our reservoirs, and host about 90% of California’s rare and endangered species. This TogetherGreen project is an opportunity to learn about our grasslands and to participate in restoration of these native habitats.”

Reed has been affiliated with the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District since 1998. Half of the TogetherGreen fellows come from within Audubon’s far-reaching national network; half channel their environmental efforts through other organizations.

Reed is working towards his Masters degree in plant biology from Southern Illinois University, and has received a Bachelors degree in environmental studies from San Jose State University. A dedicated researcher, Reed has been awarded numerous scientific grants from organizations including the British Ecological Society and the Illinois State Academy of Science.

“Toyota believes in the power of grassroots efforts to develop the environmental leaders of tomorrow,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, Group Vice President, Toyota Motor North America. “These 40 TogetherGreen Fellows will receive invaluable training for the future while immediately making a difference today with on-the-ground community projects.”

The growing trend for contemporary and affordable ethical fashion has arrived in London!

Fashionistas along with influential celebrities and top UK designers including Alexa Chung, Daisy Lowe, Stella McCartney, Luella Bartley, Vivienne Westwood and Peaches Geldof have developed a green conscience and started to delve into the ethical fashion world. With vintage wear being on the rise over the past few years, clothing which does not damage the environment and has a social conscience is also becoming increasingly popular.

In the current economic climate, consumers are increasingly becoming more inclined to invest in timeless pieces that last more than one season. With Primark recently hitting the headlines after being forced to remove its logo endorsing ethical credentials, the country’s love of cheap ‘fast fashion’ – despite the recession, is diminishing amidst the consumer’s sound ethical conscience.

Pure London, the UK’s largest fashion trade event for buyers and retailers, launches a new ethical section this February in line with consumer demands. Ethical fashion is no longer perceived as the preserve of hemp wearing but is now glamorous, stylish and affordable. Top designers such as People Tree, Sweet Blossom, Komodo, Izzy Lane and Amana will be showcasing their ready to wear collections at the show.

When it comes to animals, Izzy Lane’s collection of beautiful cashmere and knitted coats, dresses, and skirts are all made from rescued sheep that would have been sent to slaughter.

Spared from the Butchers table, the collection consists of cutting edge fashion designed and produced on home turf, here in Britain.

Accessory brand Artisan Life replaces the slaughter of elephants for their ivory tusks with stunning pieces of jewellery made from a vegetable form known as tagua seeds. The ivory nut which grows on palm trees is dried for a period of up to 2 years. Once the seed is separated from the shell it has a dark skin which is removed to reveal the beautiful ivory colour. The tagua seed is then cut into a range of different shapes and formed into stunning pieces of jewellery.

Terra Plana is spreading the green message loud and clear with the opening of its brand new shoe store in London’s Westfield. With designs produced using recycled elements, vegetable leather and its signature quilting, the shoes are a definite must have!

Retailers are now looking to source good quality, sustainable, economical and timeless clothing to meet the demand from their customers. There is no excuse for fashionistas not to be green from head to toe now with some amazing new collections at Pure London.

According to statistics households in Britain throw away about a third (if not more, I would say) of all food that is being bought.

At times this has to do with the fact that people seem to see the “best before” date as a “throw before” date or definitely a “throw immediately on or after that date” date and hence lots of food gets thrown into the garbage that is entirely safe to eat still.

In other cases it is food, such as fruit and vegetables, that have rotted due to bad storage, such as bananas having been put into the fridge or other fruit having been kept in the same place with bananas. Bananas give off a gas that causes other fruit top ripen too fast and causes rot.

Often though food gets thrown that is still entirely safe to eat and is not even rotten. Potatoes are a case in point here. Many people thrown them because they have formed shoots. So what? That does not affect the food safety of the potato at all and does not render it inedible, though it would appear that a great majority of people think so.

In order to avoid potatoes, for instance, from sprouting and also from rotting prematurely, they must be stored away from light (that turns then green and does make them inedible) and in a dark and airy place.

Lakeland in the UK has produced a storage bag that fulfills this requirement but for those that wish not to make such a purchase all that is required is the good old-fashioned Hessian, burlap or canvass sack where to store the spuds in. That does as well the trick.

Potatoes also must be stored away from frost. Hence the reason in the old days – and this is still done by many a homesteader – they are stored in clamps, that is to say, in special covered trenched in the garden or fields. Carrots too and other root crops were stored – and still are – in such a way.

The greatest problem is that too many people nowadays are so far removed from reality that they no longer know how to store foods and also, it has to be said, and we have visited this subjects before, no longer know how to cook meals from scratch and especially also from and with leftovers.

Food storage, proper storage of the various types of produce, may be something that a book should be written about or even little course held about.

There, no doubt, is advice on this subject our there somewhere on the Internet but many people just do not really bother either.

With the credit crunch, with the looming depression, this might change and it is here where the big changes of grocery stores could come in with some advice cards of the likes that Sainsbury's are doing as regards to “feeding a family for a fiver” and the “Love your Leftovers” campaign they had for a while.

While some folks might not go out and buy a book on this subject or even download material free from the Internet if it would be available as a little card collection at supermarkets then, I am sure, people would take them and read them and, hopefully, also implement the advice.

Government departments and quangos such as WRAP themselves could produce little ring binders with information cards on this – and other waste related subjects – and distribute them free to the public. It is not rocket science.

People, the majority at least, I would say, need to relearn the proper storage of produce and also need to understand what the dates on labels mean and that, mostly, the date does not mean that the food must be thrown on or directly after that date, especially as far as canned food is concerned and produce safely sealed in glass jars. Unless the seal is popped, be this on a can or a glass jar then, generally, it is safe to open and eat.

The one thing that needs to be taken heed of is the fact that, ideally, even if stored sealed in a new container – as far as canned is concerned, as produce in glass jars can remain in its own container – should be used up – again depending on the kind of product – within 3 days to absolute maximum of a week, depending on what is being kept.

Pickled produce in glass jars is generally safe for much longer periods than other goods simply due to the way pickling preserves the product, whether this be gherkins or cabbage or other pickles.

New York, NY: A Snohomish County, Washington woman is the recipient of a new national fellowship designed to advance the work of individuals with outstanding potential to help shape a brighter environmental future.

Kristin Kelly is one of only 40 people selected from competitors nationwide for the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program, part of a new conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society with support from Toyota. Fellows receive specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work and share best practices with gifted conservation professionals, and assistance with project outreach and evaluation. Each Fellow will also receive $10,000 towards a community-focused project to engage local residents in conserving land, water and energy, and contributing to greater environmental health.

For her fellowship, Kelly will focus her efforts on educating and empowering citizens to become voices for environmental protection, like policies that promote sustainable urban communities while protecting rural and resource lands to the area and policies thatwill protect Snohomish County’s critical areas, shorelines and Puget Sound. By continuing to build coalitions of community partners for good growth management policies, Kelly hopes to guide local residents and decision makers away from irresponsible development and toward better protection of their critical ecosystems, their shorelines, and their quality of life – balancing the ecological and economic value of the land.

Involved in coalition building efforts for more than a decade, Kelly is currently the Smart Growth Director for the Pilchuck Audubon Society. In her current position, she has organized two coalitions: the Land Protection Coalition, and the Livable Snohomish County Coalition, the latter one comprising about 200 neighborhood groups and individuals. Through her leadership, these groups have managed to influence decision makers to adopt strong critical areas regulations for all 20 cities in Snohomish County; prevent unnecessary overdevelopment of the rural areas, and better protect the farm and forest land in the county.

“Kristin is the kind of person who can make a real difference in the health of our environment and the quality of our future,” said Audubon President John Flicker. “Each of our TogetherGreen Fellows demonstrates exceptional environmental understanding and commitment, combined with tremendous potential to inspire and lead others. Together, they represent the talented and diverse leadership the environmental community will need to tackle the huge challenges and opportunities confronting us now and in the years to come.”

“I feel very honored and humbled in receiving this award from Toyota and Audubon, that they see my work here in Snohomish County as an important contribution to the sustainability and health of our world. I have met some very incredible and inspiring people during the training I received as part of this Leadership Award, and I will do my best to fulfill some of my work goals for the environment and the people of Snohomish County,” said Kelly. “While growth and development has truly changed our county’s landscape and neighborhoods, there is still lots we can do as a community to make our urban communities better and still protect our valuable rural and resource lands, something I know all Snohomish County residents hold dear. It will be my privilege to keep working with folks for that outcome.”

Kelly has been affiliated with the Pilchuck Audubon Society since 2005. Half of the TogetherGreen fellows come from within Audubon’s far-reaching national network; half channel their environmental efforts through other organizations.

Kelly received a Bachelors degree in natural resource communications from Humboldt State University. In addition to her current position with Pilchuck Audubon, she serves as Snohomish/Skagit Pprogram Director for Futurewise, a statewide public interest group working to promote healthy communities and cities while protecting farmland, forests and shorelines today and for future generations.

“Toyota believes in the power of grassroots efforts to develop the environmental leaders of tomorrow,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, Group Vice President, Toyota Motor North America. “These 40 TogetherGreen Fellows will receive invaluable training for the future while immediately making a difference today with on-the-ground community projects.”

The Children's Commissioner for Wales is backing an Assembly Committee attempt to increase the number of traffic-free paths for walking and cycling.

The proposal to impose a duty on local authorities to develop and maintain a network of paths for walkers, cyclists and disabled people was made by an unprecedented coalition of organisations in Wales led by Sustrans.

BT, Royal Mail, the British Medical Association, Age Concern, Play Wales, the National Union of Teachers and a range of other organisations have supported the proposed change in law being considered by the Assembly's Enterprise Committee.

Welsh Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones is expected to tell the Assembly Committee on Thursday why he is blocking the legislative competence order (LCO).

But in a letter issued to members of the Enterprise and Learning Committee, Children’s Commissioner for Wales Keith Towler said : “A legal duty on Highway Authorities to develop and maintain a network of traffic-free routes could make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people in Wales. It could benefit their general health and well-being, tackle childhood obesity, provide safer routes to schools and greater access to play areas.

“It is also refreshing to note that children and young people’s issues have been raised in what might traditionally be seen as an adult-dominated arena.”

Lee Waters, National Director of Sustrans Cymru, said: "This is the first time a proposal has come forward from civil society under the Welsh Assembly's new law making powers. It has the support of organisations representing businesses, children, older people, health experts and a range of environmental charities. And we are delighted that the Children's Commissioner for children in Wales has now added his independent voice.

“To encourage people to walk and cycle more often we need a network of well-maintained traffic-free paths. Left to their own devices Highway Engineers will not put pedestrians and cyclists first. Our proposal will help address the problems that the Assembly Government is committed to address. Now is the time for ministers to follow through.”

He added: "If the Assembly Government block the first initiative to come from civil society it will send a very negative signal to the voluntary sector.”

Washington, USA: As motorists, due to the financial downturn and the economy per se, are driving less and buying less gasoline, fuel taxes are no longer raising enough money to keep pace with the cost of road, bridge and transit programs.

Congress therefore has created a federal commission to find a way to make up the growing revenue shortfall in the program that funds highway repairs and construction is talking about increasing federal gas and diesel taxes.

A roughly 50 percent increase in gasoline and diesel fuel taxes is being urged by the commission until the government devises another way for motorists to pay for using public roads.

The 15-member National Commission on Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing is the second group in a year to call for increasing the current 18.4 cents a gallon federal tax on gasoline and the 24.4 cents a gallon tax on diesel. State fuel taxes vary from state to state.

In a report expected in late January, members of the infrastructure financing commission say they will urge Congress to raise the gas tax by 10 cents a gallon and the diesel tax by about 12 cents to 15 cents a gallon. At the same time, the commission will recommend tying the fuel tax rates to inflation.

The commission will also recommend that states raise their fuel taxes and make greater use of toll roads and fees for rush-hour driving.

Although the cost of gasoline has dropped dramatically in recent months, such tax increases could be politically treacherous for Democratic leaders in Congress. A gas tax hike was one of the reasons they lost control of the House and Senate in the 1994 elections. President-elect Barack Obama has expressed concern about raising fuel taxes in the current economic climate.

But commission members said the government must find more road and bridge building money somewhere.

The dilemma for Congress is that highway and transit programs are dependent for revenue on fuel taxes that are not sustainable. Many Americans are driving less and switching to more fuel-efficient cars and trucks, and a shift to new fuels and technologies like plug-in hybrid electric cars will further erode gasoline sales.

According to a draft of the financing commission's recommendations, the nation needs to move to a new system that taxes motorists according to how much they use roads. While details have not been worked out, such a system would mean equipping every car and truck with a device that uses global positioning satellites and transponders to record how many miles the vehicle has been driven, and perhaps the type of roads and time of day.

So, first they want people to switch away from using the cars so much and that and now, when people do that the money for the treasury is getting short - and the hell they use it for fixing roads and bridges - they decide to simply put the tax up to get more money.

Let's face it. Unless the USA is different to the UK – where taxes on fuel are most of the cost of a gallon of gas or diesel here – then the money raised from fuel taxes is NOT being used to improve the road infrastructure, in the same way as the Road Tax that every motorist has to pay in Britain is not used for that either. All such taxes are but a means for the government to raise money for its coffers regardless from which source.

I have an answer there for drivers - drive even less, LOL. Also, where possible, travel Amish-style. But, no doubt, they will also find a way of getting taxes for that. They will probably have a horse doo charge or such then.

Isn't it sad that the poor government now is short of funds because people have heeded the call to use the motorcar and such less, drive more efficient vehicles and hybrids, and hence less gasoline and diesel is being sold.

If US roads are anywhere like those in Britain then they have not used much of the money raised by such taxes in the maintenance of them but now they claim they need that money to repair roads and bridges.

I know I have been sitting on this a little bit, having received the light in early Fall, I believe it was, of 2008.

However, I was having some little hiccups with the Bogo SL-2 and SunNight Solar has admitted that there were problems with the pre-production models that some of us were so kindly sent. The one that I got was one of the 1/500 run in blue.

The problem that I was having – and I say was, as it seems to have gotten better with direct light application – is with the proper charging of the light. It would appear that the SL-2, at least the one that I have got here, requires real direct sunlight in comparison to the MKI which was fine with a couple of days - for that too got here a year before that in Fall or such – in the window soaking up the winter daylight.

As I said, the problem that I have been experiencing seems to have been overcome by direct light and as the Winter sun was not that obliging this was the application of light from the desk lamp. It definitely requires more direct daylight/sunlight than the Northern hemisphere can provide in Fall/Winter.

The BOGO Light SL-2 has, in comparison to the MKI, two distinct settings with a number of sub-settings, controlled by simply switching the on/off button a number of times. One of the sets of settings are “flashlight” with sub-settings and the other set of settings is a king of “floodlight”, again with sub-settings. The latter can light out a room better than the old version that was, basically, a beam flashlight.

While I quite like the new light and it will definitely be a great asset to some place I am one of those people that also believes in the KISS principle and the “if it ain't broke don't fix it” one and I find that the original MKI of the light was,more than likely, the better one.

I do know that it is still being made and will continue to me made, I hope and pray, for, as far as I am concerned, it is its simplicity that makes it the ideal thing for places out there.

I also must say that I am not really someone who personally does not like those multi-function light that are controlled just via the one single on/off switch. But, I know, that is a personal preference of mine, I guess. I just find the simple on/off switch and, if there are to be more function, a switch or switches that can switch those one and off, but still have the main on/off doing the on/off switching for the unit.

The sub-settings on the SL-2 are meant to be power saving settings and the idea is a good one it is, just as I said, me and my sort-of dislike for that kind of switching mechanisms and the fact that I want to be able to turn a light on and off directly when I need to have instant dark for whatever reason. This is important to me as a former military man. I do not want to have to go through x-number of switching staged to be able to turn the light off.

Having said all that I do find the SL-2 a nice concept and it may have more uses to some of the recipients than did the SL-1 but I still believe that the original SL-1 light.

The case also, but then the 1/500 was a pre-production range, does not appear to be as nice in the hand as is the one of the SL-1. The one of the latter is a superior plastic and manufacture.

I must say that I, obviously, cannot judge as to the proper production models of the SL-2 having but seen the pre-production run and I should assume that improvements have been made in the meantime.

Now that I have managed to finally get the light properly charged – still lack of sunlight here but a desk lamp has helped here – I have been able to test the light in its workings properly and on that level it is very good indeed.

However, as they say about “horses for courses” I must say that the first model, the SL-1 will remain my favorite, I should think; for the time being at least.

Let me stress that there does not appear to be anything wrong in any way with the new version of the BoGo Light and now that the batteries have gotten the right load the light performs very well indeed. All I am saying is that my personal preference remains with the old version of the BoGo Light, the SL-1; that is all. No more, no less!

Can I recommend the new BoGo Light, the SL-2? Sure I can. Just make sure that it is charged in full direct light – sunlight – for a given number of hours in order for the batteries to receive their full load.

New York, NY: A Gainesville, Florida woman is the recipient of a new national fellowship designed to advance the work of individuals with outstanding potential to help shape a brighter environmental future.

Jennifer Seitz is one of only 40 people selected from competitors nationwide for the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program, part of a new conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society with support from Toyota. Fellows receive specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work and share best practices with gifted conservation professionals, and assistance with project outreach and evaluation. Each Fellow will also receive $10,000 towards a community-focused project to engage local residents in conserving land, water and energy, and contributing to greater environmental health.

Seitz will focus her efforts on working with community members in a predominantly black Gainesville neighborhood that enjoys significantly fewer green spaces and tree cover than the rest of the city. Through her project, she’ll talk with residents to find out what kinds of green spaces they’d like to have and then work with them to determine how best to create and maintain them. Seitz feels passionately that all Gainesville residents should be able to enjoy the benefits of tree cover and vegetation in their neighborhoods – shade, air purification, beauty, and more.

Involved in conservation efforts for a decade, Seitz is currently an Urban Forestry Extension Associate and the State Coordinator of Project Learning Tree at the University of Florida , where she helps Florida citizens statewide learn about urban forest ecosystems and natural resource conservation through outreach and engaging educational materials.

“Jennifer is the kind of person who can make a real difference in the health of our environment and the quality of our future,” said Audubon President John Flicker. “Each of our TogetherGreen Fellows demonstrates exceptional environmental understanding and commitment, combined with tremendous potential to inspire and lead others. Together, they represent the talented and diverse leadership the environmental community will need to tackle the huge challenges and opportunities confronting us now and in the years to come.”

“I am thrilled to be part of this amazing network of Fellows,” said Seitz. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with residents in Gainesville to better understand how I can help them create healthy greenspaces in their neighborhood.”

Seitz has been affiliated with the School of Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida since 2004. Half of the TogetherGreen fellows come from within Audubon’s far-reaching national network; half channel their environmental efforts through other organizations.

Seitz received a Masters degree in education from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelors degree in wildlife ecology and conservation from University of Florida. In addition to her duties for Project Learning Tree, Seitz serves as the President-Elect of the League of Environmental Educators in Florida and the Urban Forestry Extension Associate at the University of Florida.

“Toyota believes in the power of grassroots efforts to develop the environmental leaders of tomorrow,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, Group Vice President, Toyota Motor North America. “These 40 TogetherGreen Fellows will receive invaluable training for the future while immediately making a difference today with on-the-ground community projects.”